We increasingly hear and see public health messages encouraging us to "engage in physical activity," "move," or "play sports." But what exactly does this mean? From antiquity to the present day and across different places,
various sources have revealed the existence of activities characterized by physical performance, the mastery of body techniques, the creation and repetition of movements, the development of rules, the demarcation of a dedicated space, and often, a form of competition.
Running can be considered either a physical activity or a sport.
Without historicizing sports here, whose definition and criteria are still debated, we can pinpoint
the advent of modern sports to the late 18th century in England, starting from the transformation of traditional games at "public schools."
Sports form a subset of physical activity in which participants adhere to a common set of rules (or expectations) and for which a goal is specified. In its modern sense, sports involve a practice of the body that differs from daily practice—it is a codified practice.
Physical activity is defined as "any body movement produced by skeletal muscle contraction that results in an increase in energy expenditure compared to the resting energy expenditure." Physical activity includes sports but cannot be characterized as "sportive" unless it meets certain criteria, particularly codification. Thus, the most inclusive expression of human movement is indeed "physical activity," and has been a consensus among scientists for about a decade.
The confusion between "physical activity" and "sports" is common. In public health, reference is made to physical activity, whose practice known as "sportive" can be a powerful driver considering the motivation it can generate through competition; we want to improve, we practice even more and better. Ultimately, through the lens of public health, the important thing is to "move." This is critical for two reasons: on one hand, to reduce prolonged periods of sedentarism which have detrimental health effects such as increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, and also to mobilize muscle mass whose demand, which can be called local or peripheral in physiology, has central and systemic effects—that is, on the whole body, including the brain.
These effects manifest in the short term, during physical activity, to cope with what is called exercise stress—it is the acute response. This includes an increase in heart rate, or breathing rate for example (we breathe faster). Then, in the medium term, in the period following the activity in recovery, and finally in the long term if the activity is sufficiently frequent and regular, it's a phenomenon known as supercompensation, referring to physiological adaptations that make us more efficient: we are trained and healthier.
These adaptations occur at the peripheral level (the muscles, the locomotor system in general), central (our muscles, our lungs, our brain). These effects are evident down to the intimate level of our cells with new messages from molecules making us feel good... All this is also achieved by changing the production of certain hormones due to cellular messages triggered by physical activity as soon as we start moving, especially when the motion is intense, or prolonged, commensurate with our physical abilities at the time.
So, generally, when we move, we progress, we gain performance or at least maintain it, and we feel better in everyday life. This motivation can be found alone, through physical activity, which can also be a codified activity, thus a sport, but it remains for us an activity without competitive stakes. Hence, it can also be referred to as "sporting activity."
Thus, a physical activity is not necessarily sportive. Simply moving counts as physical activity in the way scientists mean it: climbing stairs, gardening, walking on the street, or in nature.
It's the duration, pace, and intensity that determine how much impact it has on health.
Ideally, we should gradually start to do more than what we're accustomed to, walking more often, for longer periods, at a faster pace, running, swimming, biking, or engaging in a sports activity in a club, for example. Each person according to their feelings and desires.
Getting out of breath, sweating, finding it hard to talk to a partner for example, are all indications of a physical activity of moderate to high intensity and will have even more impact on our physical and mental health. But moving, like talking, reading, counting, is learned.
Physical education at school is a prime moment to learn through movement, through sports, hence the play. The better we know how to move, the more enjoyable it is, and the more we will want to continue. And if we really enjoy it, we can practice a sport we choose because it pleases us in a club because above all, moving is fun. So, everyone to your sneakers, swimsuits, bikes!
Author: Irène Margaritis - Professor of Physiology - Deputy Director of Risk Assessment, ANSES